Australian government planning to cap international student numbers

The debate on Australia's migration numbers has been reignited, with the federal government revealing it is considering laws that would set a cap on international student enrolments.

Tertiary students at Melbourne University in Melbourne Source: AAP

Key Points

• Net overseas migration grew by 60 per cent compared with the previous year, driven by a 34 per cent increase in overseas migration arrivals - mostly those on a temporary visa for work or study.
• The government wants to introduce new legislation that will set a cap on the maximum number of new international student places at universities and the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
• International students provide a $48 billion boost to Australia's economy and employ 200,000 workers, making it the nation's fourth-largest export.